A perfect day for corn and brats

It was indeed a perfect day to enjoy some bratwurst and sweet corn.
The Blooming Prairie Fire Department sponsored the Brat & Sweet Corn Feed for the 12th year. It was held in the truck bays of the fire hall.
Chief Dean Naatz said freewill offering collector Mike Hoffman reported 562 went through the serving line. Hoffman collected monies by welcoming donations he placed in a firefighter's boot.
Nearly all of the 25 members on the fire department worked on the event. Homemade bars and cookies were provided for dessert by wives of the firemen.
Naatz said monies from the brat and sweet corn feed are used to purchase needed firefighting equipment. The fire department recently received a grant of $111,377 to purchase a RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) pack. The special equipment is used to rescue a firefighter who may be in trouble while fighting a fire.
The packs have a life of 15 years. The local fire department had to pay 5% of the equipment costs.
Naatz said the fire department may look at adding an extractor in the near future.  This equipment helps with the washing of fire gear, he said.
Saturday's menu included: bratwurst, pork patties, hot dogs, beans and sauerkraut and dessert.
Sweet corn was donated by B & B Farms (Bob and Bruce Wolf) and by Ahrens Farms of Owatonna.
Kids games and a bounce house were run by volunteers of the fire department. Kids were also given the opportunity to sit in the BP fire trucks. Carol Iverson offered free face painting to kids and adults alike.
Naatz thanked those who attended the feed and also offered gratitude to those who donated food products.
Supporting the brat and sweet corn feed were the following businesses:
            -- Geneva Meats/Dean's Smoke Shack of Geneva; Travelin' Picnic Tables of Blooming Prairie; The Bakery of Blooming Prairie; Vandal's of Blooming Prairie; Dairy Queen of Blooming Prairie; CFS of Blooming Prairie; B to Z Hardware of Blooming Prairie; Sportstitch of Blooming Prairie; Hope Creamery of Hope and J & H Liquors of Blooming Prairie.
            -- Joe's Repair of Blooming Prairie; Metal Services of Blooming Prairie; Cue Company and Pizza Cellar of Blooming Prairie; Farmers & Merchants Bank of Blooming Prairie; Skjeveland Enterprises of Owatonna; KIK Marketing of Blooming Prairie and Minimizer, LLC of Blooming Prairie.